Political trust falls to new low

TRUST in politicians has hit a new low as an expenses scandal threatens to undermine Tony Abbott’s ambition to “restore faith” in government after the divisions of the past three years.

Research to be released today shows a slump in confidence in federal politicians as voters rank the parliament below every other major institution in a nationwide survey of social attitudes…….

Julie Bishop defends claiming India wedding cost

AAP OCTOBER 11, 20136:58AM

SENIOR coalition government minister Julie Bishop argues there’s a “very grey area” between work and play for travel expense claims as she defended charging taxpayers to attend a wedding in India.

Ms Bishop claimed $3445 to return from the lavish wedding in Hyderabad in 2011, but says she sought and received prior approval.

Coalition colleagues Barnaby Joyce and Teresa Gambaro also attended after being invited by mining magnate Gina Rinehart, and collectively the three claimed more than $12,000 in overseas study allowances.

The revelation sparked fierce debate about the validity of political entitlements in which a number of government and Labor MPs – including Prime Minister Tony Abbott – were quizzed about their past claims.

But Ms Bishop defended her actions, saying most of the time politicians were invited to events it was in their role as parliamentarians.

“I believe that there is a very grey area between what is official business and what is an event that could be characterised in another way,” she told ABC radio on Friday.

“If someone wanted to characterise it (as a social event) because I knew the people, for example, well is that a social event?”

The wedding, attended by 10,000 people, was more like a “high-powered gathering” of significant Indian business and political leaders and could hardly be described as a social event, she said.

There was no need to change the rules around parliamentary entitlements, but the question of disclosure remained paramount, Ms Bishop said.

We are concerned that the Abbott government or the Federal Executive is trying to influence the Federal Judiciary over the issue of costs cutting to maintain the latter’s dividends of efficiency. It must be remembered that there is a price to be paid for the just dividends of justice expected of the Judiciary and you are doing the right job to oppose it. We therefore urge that you do stand steadfast and do not allow yourself to be thus influenced. Remember that the apex High Court’s decision is always independent and final and any costs cutting would be compromising its efficiency. It would indeed be a shame for all Australians if its Judiciary is again found to be un-reliant and unreliable such that it cannot be entrusted to do its job faithfully and in accordance to the law.

Schapelle Corby’s brother-in-law has met with Indonesian authorities in a bid to strike a deal and allow for a paid interview between the convicted drug smuggler and Channel Seven to go ahead.

Sunday Night journalist Mike Willesee on Wednesday said that Wayan Widiartha was due to meet with Ms Corby’s parole officers on Wednesday morning in a bid to end the impasse.

Willesee said Seven was prepared to let the officers sit in on the interview if that is what it would take to make it happen.

”I don’t know what to expect,” Willesee said. ”We’re dealing with the bureaucracy now, you can’t rely on quick answers.”

Once they have that approval, Willesee said Ms Corby herself was ”good to go”.

A spokesman for the Indonesian Corrections Department, Ayub Suratman, said the interview was still ”forbidden” but if it was to take place parole officers ”will have to be there”. ”There are concerns that she will say something subjective that will discredit corrections, or Indonesia. But if it’s just a regular interview, it should be OK.”

Australian Federal Police officers on Tuesday raided the corporate headquarters of Seven and its magazine publishing arm, looking for documents relating to possible payments Ms Corby or her family may have received for her story.

Willesee on Wednesday described the raids as ”aggressive behaviour” by the police. He said it could also stiffen the resolve of Seven bosses to ensure the interview does take place. ”The AFP raid was an interruption yesterday and it was a bit sad to see that happen … with decent people sitting at their desk and feeling bad about it.”

Schapelle Corby’s brother-in-law has met with Indonesian authorities in a bid to strike a deal and allow for a paid interview between the convicted drug smuggler and Channel Seven to go ahead.

Sunday Night journalist Mike Willesee on Wednesday said that Wayan Widiartha was due to meet with Ms Corby’s parole officers on Wednesday morning in a bid to end the impasse.

Willesee said Seven was prepared to let the officers sit in on the interview if that is what it would take to make it happen.

”I don’t know what to expect,” Willesee said. ”We’re dealing with the bureaucracy now, you can’t rely on quick answers.”

Once they have that approval, Willesee said Ms Corby herself was ”good to go”.

A spokesman for the Indonesian Corrections Department, Ayub Suratman, said the interview was still ”forbidden” but if it was to take place parole officers ”will have to be there”. ”There are concerns that she will say something subjective that will discredit corrections, or Indonesia. But if it’s just a regular interview, it should be OK.”

Australian Federal Police officers on Tuesday raided the corporate headquarters of Seven and its magazine publishing arm, looking for documents relating to possible payments Ms Corby or her family may have received for her story.

Willesee on Wednesday described the raids as ”aggressive behaviour” by the police. He said it could also stiffen the resolve of Seven bosses to ensure the interview does take place. ”The AFP raid was an interruption yesterday and it was a bit sad to see that happen … with decent people sitting at their desk and feeling bad about it.”

We consider Australia Day is not a day where people should trumpet racism by wearing an Australian flag as a cape. Australia Day is a day which needs to be reclaimed for the majority of Australians who are not racist bogans and for the Indigenous people who were living peacefully in Australia well before 26 January, 1788.